JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Soldiers and family members of the 545th Transportation Company, 8th Special Troops Battalion, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, were recognized at an awards banquet March 4 at Historic Hickam Officers Club here.
More than 15 individuals were honored during this event not to include those who received Army Commendation medals, Army Achievement medals and the spouses who received Certificates of Appreciation.
"We will be presenting several well-deserved awards tonight," said Capt. John Tansioco, the commander of the 545th Trans. Company, "to include Pacific Pathways awards to Soldiers and Mariners, volunteer awards for our committed spouses for FRG (Family Readiness Group) contributions and the Orders of Samuel Sharpe and Saint Christopher."
Tansioco stated that the Orders are coveted awards only given to maintainers and transporters who have contributed significantly to the ordnance and transportation corps.
"The fact that we have had the ability to not only witness a very precise ceremony with leadership, but more importantly phenomenal Soldiers and Family members who have ensured that this unit could function around the globe ... you epitomize what it is to be regionally engaged and globally responsive," said Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III, commander of 8th TSC.
"I think it's safe to say that the great namesakes of these prestigious Orders, Samuel Sharpe and Saint Christopher, and the many selfless ordnance and transportation Soldiers and leaders who have come before you are proud of your accomplishments, and you should be just as proud of the awards and the honorable orders that you just received," Dorman said.
Samuel Sharpe was appointed to the position of Master Gunner of Ordnance by the Council of the Plantation in Massachusetts Bay colonies, April 17, 1629, charging him with the care of the ordnance, shot, powder, match, ladles, sponges, wormes, cartridges, armes, fireworks and the rest of the gunners.
The honorable Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe was awarded to Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Petteway and Sgt. 1st Class Pedro Gomez.
The Order of Saint Christopher has been associated with transporters from the earliest times. Depictions of him on medieval church walls were always opposite the entrance so that passers-by could look on them and be fortified. As the legend goes, the extremely robust Christopher devoted his life to carrying people across an otherwise unfordable steam.
The image of Saint Christopher offers a fitting symbol of strength, loyalty and safety for transporters charged with "moving the force now and for all time," making him the Patron Saint of the Transportation Corps.
The Ancient Order of Saint Christopher was awarded to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Abdelkader Hosni, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Paula Buckley, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gregory Gidding, Chief Warrant Officer 3 John Zabler, Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Carman and Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Dasig.
The Honorable Order of Saint Christopher was awarded to Capt. John Tansioco, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kali Pettigrew, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Zupan, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Daniel Benroth, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Clinton Smith, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Nicholas Laferte, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Marcus Gandee, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Gabriel Cogswell, Sgt. 1st Class William Littell, Sgt. 1st Class Eric Rink, Sgt. 1st Class Jaime Maldonado, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Caivano and Sgt. 1st Class Robert Ellis.
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